53 
BIRD-NOTES FROM THE MID-TRENT VALLEY. 
F. B. WHITLOCK, 
Nottingham. 
My last instalment of notes from the Mid-Trent Valley covered 
a period extending nearly to the end of 1894 (vide Naturalist, 1895, 
pp. 63-68), and closing just previous to the setting in of the severe 
weather which characterised the advent of 1895. 
The frost commenced in earnest on 29th Dec. and _ lasted 
practically until the 2oth of the following February. It was varied, 
however, by occasional thaws, and from 2oth to 26th January we 
had a heavy flood out. The severest cold occurred about roth 
February, when the Trent was full of drift ice and its margins were 
frozen on either side to a width of eight or nine yards. ‘The thick- 
ness of the ice in the latter instance being sufficient to bear skaters. 
In several places where the floes had jammed a solid surface seven 
or eight inches in thickness was formed, strong enough to bear 
ony and cart. Exceptional weather of this kind naturally had 
considerable effect on local bird life, the Duck family being chiefly 
concerned. 
Prior to December 1894, we had the average number of Mallards 
(Anas boschas) and a few Teal (Anas crecea), but later on, during the 
extreme cold, the Trent was visited by Tufted Ducks (/udigula 
cristata), Scaups ( Fuligula marila), Wigeon (Anas penelope), Golden- 
eyes (Clangula glaucion), Goosanders (Mergus merganser), and 
Pochards (Felicwis ferina). These species occurred in varying 
numbers ; the Tufted Ducks perhaps being the most common, and 
the Giiendess only turning up singly. On February 21st I saw 
three exceptionally handsome Pochards, their grey backs looking 
almost white in the bright sunlight, and though they were fully one 
hundred yards away the chestnut of the head and neck was plainly 
visible. On December rst I counted 61 ducks of various species on 
the wing at the same moment. 
Coot. Fulica atra. As is customary during frosts this species 
appeared on the Trent, but none remained to breed the 
following spring 
Little Grebe. Podicipes fluviatilis. This species was also 
very much in evidence during the hard weather, though it 
breeds very sparingly in the county. I stalked an individual 
when the Trent was very low and clear. When it dived it 
appeared to me that the halbones wings had the tips directed 
February 1897. 
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